Chapter 40-A survivor

Chapter 40: 40-A survivor

Across the academy, the atmosphere around the redblood dormitory couldn’t have been more different. It was lively and more cheerful than usual.

The moment Maisa stepped through the courtyard gates, someone gasped loudly.

"Maisa!"

She barely had time to react before Sapphire Simmers came sprinting across the courtyard.

"There you are!"

Sapphire practically threw herself into a hug. Maisa laughed in surprise as the energetic redblood wrapped both arms around her.

"You scared everyone!" She said, relieved that Maisa was safe and out of the frying pan.

"I didn’t mean to," Maisa let out. It was far from her intentions to worry anyone.

"I know that you didn’t mean to. All is well that ends well, I guess," Sapphire pulled back before looking Maisa over from head to toe. "You look better. Happier and more..mmmh... vampiricly beautiful."

Maisa nodded happily. "I do feel better... mostly."

Sapphire smiled warmly. "Come on." She grabbed Maisa’s wrist and pulled her forward. "I want to show you something."

Maisa allowed herself to be led across the dormitory grounds. Unlike the noble towers, the redblood dormitory wasn’t grand. The buildings were smaller and older, more run down.

Simple brick walls surrounded a wide courtyard where dozens of students gathered each evening before classes.

Some played cards, others laughed around enchanted lanterns while several students practiced combat techniques together.

There wasn’t much luxury around but there was warmth and love. Much understanding from having to exist in a world that looks upon them and treats them like outcasts. It was a warmth Maisa hadn’t realized she had been craving.

"This is our spot."

Sapphire proudly pointed toward a circular stone patio beneath an enormous crimson maple tree.

Nearly every redblood student greeted Maisa with smiles. Some waved shyly, others nodded respectfully and the hostile whispers that had once surrounded her were gone.

Instead, she was welcomed by her kind and treated like one of them. It made her night, she was feeling like she had finally established a place for herself among her people.

Sapphire dropped onto one of the benches. "Sit," she pointed to the space beside her.

Maisa obeyed without a word of objection or question. She found a friend in Sapphire, a pure friendship unlike anything she had ever had before and she promised herself to protect that friendship, watch it bloom and see it through to the end.

Sapphire tossed something toward her. Maisa caught it instinctively. It was a small wrapped sweet.

"What is this?" She asked.

"It’s blood candy," Sapphire grinned. "Try it."

Maisa unwrapped it curiously before placing it in her mouth. Immediately, a rich metallic taste spread across her tongue. It genuinely tasted like blood, though softer, sweeter and less satisfying.

"It isn’t real blood. As you know, redbloods arent allowed to take blood out of the blood archives," Sapphire explained. "It helps during long lectures and when you’re hungry but it’s not feeding time."

Maisa laughed. "It’s surprisingly good," she admitted.

"I know, right," she lit up. "You’re surprisingly easier to get along with, Maisa. I love that you’re my roommate."

Soon several other students joined them. The conversation flowed naturally and Maisa didn’t have to force herself to fit in, she just did.

They asked about her recovery, about Professor Primrose’s actions towards the unfair treatment she received a about the princess. Maisa answered as best she could, keeping up the lively and friendly mood.

For the first time since arriving at Veris Academy, Maisa found herself laughing without fear. She had almost forgotten what that felt like.

After several minutes, Sapphire suddenly leaned closer. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you."

Maisa threw another candy in her mouth before looking up at her, "What?"

"We held a meeting while you were gone."

Maisa tilted her head. "A meeting?" Her stomach twisted, already predicting bad news. She was afraid that the place she’d found among them would be stripped from her.

Sapphire nodded enthusiastically. "The redblood students from every class and year voted."

Maisa blinked. "...Voted?" She wasn’t informed that there was a voting session going on. She had no idea about it at all.

"Yes, and we’ve decided," Sapphire smiled proudly. "When the student council opens nominations again... we’re putting your name forward."

Silence settled in. Maisa stared at her in disbelief. "...My... what?"

"Your name, as our representative," Sapphire beamed. "You’ll finally give redbloods a voice and make sure that out problems are aired, heard and taken care of."

The words hit Maisa harder than any punch she had taken inside the combat arena. She nearly dropped the blood candy.

"M-Me?"

"Of course."

"No!" She refused right there. She just survived a war, she wasn’t starting another one by putting her neck out to fight the heirachy that has existed for generations.

Every head turned toward her. Maisa immediately covered her mouth. "I mean... I can’t," she let out, afraid of being an outcast among her kind again.

"You can."

"I really can’t!" She stood so quickly the bench nearly tipped over. "I’m the worst possible choice!" She tried to argue.

Several students exchanged confused glances. Maisa continued panicking. "I’ve been here less than a week! I barely know the academy! I don’t even understand half the rules!" She pressed her refusal.

"I got poisoned on my first day! I got placed under house arrest! I accidentally caused a national announcement that might provoke a war in the vampire nation!" She added remembering Addessa’s warning.

She buried her face in her hands. "I’m a disaster!"

A burst of laughter spread around the courtyard.it wasn’t mocking laughter, it was warm.

Sapphire stood beside her. "Do you know why everyone voted for you?"

Maisa slowly lowered her hands. "Why?"

"Because you survived all of that," she answered proudly.

Maisa frowned.

"Every horrible thing this academy could throw at a new redblood... you survived it." Sapphire counted on her fingers. "You survived being turned, survived the arena. survived politics, and the palace," She smiled gently. And after everything... you’re still standing."

The courtyard grew quiet. An older redblood student spoke next. "We don’t need someone perfect to represent us."

Another nodded. "We need someone brave enough to be seen and air out our grievances."

A third smiled at her, "For the first time... the palace acknowledged us and your name was the reason for it. You are the only one who can bring change to us."

Maisa felt tears sting her eyes again. She looked around at every face surrounding her. Faces that no longer saw her as an outcast among them even though she was still one to the rest of the school.

Faces filled with hope. Hope they had quietly placed, on her.

Her voice trembled. "...What if I let all of you down?"

Sapphire stepped forward. Then gently placed a hand over Maisa’s heart. "You won’t, roomie. We’ll figure it out together."

Maisa looked down. "How do you know?"

Sapphire smiled with quiet confidence. "Because I am your friend and friends just know these things." She squeezed Maisa’s shoulder. "A survivor like you... is exactly the kind of person worth following."

Maisa stood speechless beneath the crimson maple tree, surrounded by smiling redbloods who, for the first time in generations, believed their voices might finally matter. And she realized that without intending to, she had become a symbol of hope for an entire bloodline.

’Am I a leader now?’ She thought, heart heavy.